Reviews (2)

Simply enjoyable, fascinating, and easy to grasp
I very much enjoyed the simplicity and ease with which the various authors skated through the many cities and shared such encounters of colorful locals.Interspersed is a little history that is easy to grasp and enjoyable.The many articles provide varied perspectives of life in Cuba today.

The half full or half empty glass?
"Capitalism, God and a Good Cigar" by Lydia Chavez (editor) is a collection of 14 essays about life in contemporary Cuba. The book provides an intimate look at the experiences of ordinary Cubans as they struggle to define themselves in what appears to be a country that is positioned somewhere between socialism and capitalism. In that light, the book tantalizes the reader with the possibility of Cuba's transformation into a new and unique kind of socialist or capitalist state, depending on one's own perspective.
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Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. Caribbean & West Indies    3. Caribbean & West Indies - Cuba    4. Caribbean & West Indies - General    5. Civilization    6. Cuba    7. Economic conditions    8. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    9. General    10. History - General History    11. Interviews    12. Political Ideologies - Communism & Socialism    13. Social conditions    14. Travel    15. Caribbean Studies    16. Caribbean islands    17. Communication Studies    18. Cultural studies    19. Media & Communications   

Reviews (3)

A "must have" guidebook for Leeward Islands
I wish I had met this book before I went to St. Kitts & Nevis for the first time.It tells you everything about them and you can count on it.Very easy to find out what to do, where to go, stay and eat.Very organized and easy to read.Many pictures in this book.

Great book even for returning visitors
I have been traveling to Anguilla for several years but just found some new discoveries in this guidebook.

Great guide to numerous islands
I just returned from a trip to St. Kitts and Nevis and found this book very useful, from the time I was selecting a hotel until I was on the island and looking for a place to eat. Through this guide, I learned about many out of the way spots that were overlooked by other guides. I am looking forward to using other sections of the book on a trip next year to St. Martin and Anguilla. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adventure    2. Caribbean & West Indies    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Central America    3. Guidebooks    4. Honduras    5. Islas de la Bahƒia    6. Scuba & Snorkeling    7. Scuba diving    8. Skin diving    9. Travel    10. Travel - Foreign    11. Sub-aqua swimming   

Reviews (5)

Five Sea Stars
Thoroughly researched and thoughtfully constructed, this book offers something for everyone interested in exploring the amazing underwater landscapes of the USVI.Beginning divers and snorkelers will appreciate the overview of practicalities about how to get there, various underwater options, and other things to do when your extremities start to get pruney from all that time in the water.
Grateful author responds ...
Thanks to those of you who have already purchased a copy of Diving & Snorkeling U.S. Virgin Islands! I'm glad most of you are pleased with the book, and I truly appreciate your feedback. Your suggestions will help me improve the next edition of the book. Keep your comments coming!
NOTforSNORKELING !!!!!
I bought this book for our snorkeling trip to the US Virgin Islands and I was extremely disappointed with it.The snorkeling information in this book consists of a list of 11 of the "top snorkeling spots" that are the same common sites you see in any travel book or website.....it doesn't even describe them or give you any information on them.The dive site info consists of short descriptions of 53 sites in the USVI, which I would rate at fair to good (for diving).About a third of the book is about things like history, shopping, airlines, etc., which are much better covered by any travel guide.If you're looking for a snorkeling guide don't waste your money on this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Special Interest - Adventure    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    6. Water Sports    7. Sub-aqua swimming    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Virgin Islands   

Subjects:  1. Bahamas    2. Caribbean & West Indies    3. Guidebooks    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Turks and Caicos Islands    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Reviews (2)

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK ON THE JEWEL OF THE CARIBBEAN
BELIZE: LAND OF THE FREE BY THE CARIB SEA by Thor Janson is without question one of the most beautiful photographic books I own. I have not visited Belize yet but as I look at the stunning images in Janson's book It has me dreaming of a mid-winter get away to this little country flanked by the Caribbean Sea. The book includes an excellent introductory text which takes the reader all the way from pre-historic times up to the present day and describes in detail all the different cultural groups which make up the rich fabric of contemporary Belezian society. The bulk of the book is comprised of photo layouts including extraordinary shots of wild animals such as jaguars and manatees, ancient Mayan ruins, cultural events (such as the wild Belize City carnaval), peaceful rural scenes, beautiful children, rainforests, savannahs, and pine forests, and plenty of charming, happy, smiling faces giving the impression that Belize must be a very warm, inviting place to visit, indeed. A picture is worth a thousand words, they say, and this excellent book by Thor Janson contains more than 150 extraordinary photos which combined give the reader a real "feel" of what life is like in the diminutive, peaceful nation of Belize.

Belize: Land of the Free by the Carib Sea
A few months ago I visited Belize with my mom and we had a super great time. It is the most beautiful rainforest and the ocean reef is one of the biggest in the world. The book Belize shows all the natural beauty of the country as well as the many cultural groups including Mayan Indians, Creole, and Garifuna people which is a new culture formed of the mixture of African and American Indian people. The book Belize is full of beautiful color photographs and really gives you a good idea of what the country is like. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Belize    2. Caribbean & West Indies    3. Photo Essays    4. Photography    5. Photography / Photo Essays    6. Pictorial works    7. Social life and customs    8. Travel    9. Travel - Foreign    10. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Reviews (1)

Lots of worthwhile information in a small book
I've used this as a guide on three trips to Florida, and highly recommend it.I learned about some things to do that were not covered in less detailed guides.The book gives a lot of background and detail on some things that aren't covered well (or at all) in other guides.This includes just the right amount of information on how to arrange for night-time viewing of turtles laying eggs, for instance, and covers some attractions (such as Butterfly World, north of Miami) that I really enjoy, you which get little or no mention in many guides to Florida.Be aware that the series of which this manual is a part makes no effort to cover hotel and resturaunt reviews--Those are in a different Michelin series.If you can possibly live with this limitation, I highly recommend the book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bahamas    2. Florida    3. Guidebooks    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    7. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    8. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

The question most asked about Caribbean travel is: which island? Read more

Reviews (2)

Inspiration As Much As Information
If you're a fan of their monthly magazine, then you know what to expect from a National Geographic travel guide; magnificent photography and interesting reading. As with all of the pubs in this series, "National Geographic Traveler: Caribbean" is a pleasure to flip through and provides a great historical background for the various points of interest. While Fodor's and other sources tend to provide more exhaustive logistical detail (where to stay, what to eat, who to call, costs, etc.), a read through a National Geographic guide is more likely to give you the itch to actually go.

great for pictures
I'm taking a cruise of the southern caribbean so I bought Frommer's Caribbean Ports of Call which is excellent except there isn't one picture so I got this book to supplement it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Caribbean Area    3. Description    4. Description and travel    5. Guidebooks    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel Guides    9. West Indies    10. American English    11. Caribbean islands    12. Travel & holiday guides    13. Travel / General    14. c 1990 to c 2000   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel & holiday guides    5. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies    6. Turks & Caicos Islands   

Subjects:  1. Puerto Rico    2. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Dominica    6. Dominican Republic    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (10)

Frommer's Cruises and Ports of Call
Cruise section is more up to date than ports of call. Very useful.

A Great Overview - Start Here then Get Details Elsewhere
This massive book (691 pages) manages to touch on just about every major cruise ship and port of call that there is in cruising. You get a little taste of everything.
Lots of Good Information
As a person looking to take a cruise for the first time I found most of the info I was looking for in this book. It contains very detailed descriptions, especially of the various cruise lines and the type of activities, food and service that they offer. Of course, the opinions expressed are of the authors only and your taste may vary considerly. But overall they give a fairly objective assessment of the wide range of cruising experiences offered. Recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Cruise ships    3. Guidebooks    4. Ocean travel    5. Special Interest - General    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel Guides    9. Voyages And Travels    10. Caribbean islands    11. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    12. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Reviews (3)

They did their work...
I am a Trinidadian living in the US for only four years now but this book was still very educational. The truth is, many parts of Trinidad are hard to navigate and few Trinidadians know the whole island.
Very helpful
I am a Trinidadian who has been living abroad for the past eight years.I had not been back to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999 and was very much out of touch with what was current.I needed to organize a wedding in Trinidad from abroad and accomodation and activities for our foreign guests.
Could have been better organized
While the authors' passion for their subject is obvious, the information is very poorly organized and scattered all over the place. You have to sit down and read an entire chapter to find some important piece of information nestled away in it. There should be a clear table for T&T's complex transportation system, rather than confusing prose descriptions scattered all over the place. There should be an index of maps. The accommodation section is pretty good. There should be a better chapter on Carnival, with information on how to find the mas camps, buy tickets etc. The biggest gripe I have with it though is that transportation info, which is so crucial, is horribly presented. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Reference - Guides (General)    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies    8. Trinidad & Tobago   

Reviews (4)

Buy Frommers or Fodors instead
I was very disappointed with this guide book.I've bought a lot of guidebooks and have never seen one as general as this one.The information contained in Fodors or Frommers big Carribean books give better coverage to St. Kitts which is what I was interested in learning about.

Search the web instead
I read the review that said this book was worthless and chose to ignore it - mistake!You can definitely find all of this information, plus a whole lot more, via the few websites and message boards about Anguilla.Buy a book to read on your trip instead!

Helpful Guide
I have found this book to be an informative helpful guide about some of the Carribean islands which little seems to be written.Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Caribbean Area    3. Guidebooks    4. Leeward Islands (West Indies)    5. Reference - General    6. Special Interest - Adventure    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Leeward Islands    10. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

Directed us to delightful places not in any other guide book
After taking a tour at the Botanical Gardens, we followed Ms. Harriott's recommedation and ate at the hospital cafe across the street. And who did we see but our tour guide from the gardens. Boy, was he surprised to see us! How did we ever find out about this place?? The Maverick Guide, of course. The fish cakes are delicious, by the way. This book is a great way to get to out-of-the way places and a real flavor of Bermuda. Highly recommended!

Great For Tourists, Bermudians AND Travel Agents!
This book is incredible; Ms. Harriott obviously knows Bermuda extremely well and has checked and re-checked her information. As someone specializing in helpling people plan their Bermuda vacations I constantly use the book as a resource. It has been invaluable to me.
Worried about the accuracy of this book.....
Page 22: "Important Note: Since the events of September 9, 2001, to ensure the safety of your flight the airline rules have changed dramatically..."
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Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Bermuda    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

Brilliant
Phyllis Galembo's photographic skills are legend among those whose interest extends to African and Afro-Caribbean religions. In this area she never fails to impress and satisfy. I am happy to have this book.
Exquisite and Enchanting
Beautiful images and masterful writing combine to give the reader a glimpse of the economically devastated but spiritually rich lives of the people in Haiti.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Art    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    4. Photoessays & Documentaries    5. Photography    6. Subjects & Themes - General    7. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Central America    8. Voodoo    9. Ethnic or tribal religions    10. Haiti    11. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (67)

Lads on the road
The text of the original motorcycle diaries givesa strong sense, much more than the movie, of the factors that influenced this artist/activist as young man. Idealistic, cheeky, sexually libidinous, political, strong minded. Che and his older companion set off on a wild journey across South America. The wretched poverty they witness across that continent - especially when he shares a blanket with a destitute beggar high up on the Andean Sierra - strikes home, as well as some of the aesthetic beauties of the wild and mystical land, such as the Inca ruins around Cuzco, Peru. Che's description of the stonework at the Sacsaywaman fortress rivals the greatest travel writings of Robert Byron, Bruce Chatwin or Patrick Leigh Fermor in its stylishness and accuracy of description.
this translation leaves a lot unsaid
i really enjoyed the motorcycle diaries.when the movie was in theatres i decided to read the book first so that i could understand the film better, but i chose to read it in the original spanish version.it was thought provoking prose.i was impressed that such insight came from the child of a wealthy argentinean family.when i read the translation in english i was a little disappointed.i did think that it was very good, but a little bit of the nuance is lost.if at all possible i suggest that you read it in the original spanish text, it is a little bit more inspiring.

Amazing how with words, Che will take the reader along on his journey
If like me, you are one of those people who always wondered about the real thing behind a young man from Argentina who became such an influential character in the world and a major threat to global capitalism, I highly recommend reading this book. There is no mention of how Che Guevara became one of the top leaders in the Cuban revolution and a catalyst in many movements throughout the world, including Baader-Meinhof (Red Army Faction) in Germany, the Red Brigade in Italy as well as in many other countries in South America and Africa. This book, however, will share the experience of a passionate individual who was truly moved by the human suffering and was determined to do something about it. In short, it was not his strategies as much as his love and respect for all beings that made him the "Che" we know.
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Subjects:  1. 1928-1967    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description and travel    5. Guevara, Ernesto,    6. Historical - General    7. South America    8. South America - History    9. Travel    10. Biography: general    11. Cuba    12. Travel writing    13. c 1945 to c 1960   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Guadeloupe    5. Travel & holiday guides